Opinion | Editorials
Kuwait's unity and stability above all else
Political crisis must be resolved through constitutional means and respected by all
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:01 November 30, 2011
- Image Credit: AP
- Citizens outside the Justice Palace for the fourth consecutive day in Kuwait City on Sunday. The resignation of the government and the dissolution of parliament have been key demands by opposition MPs.
Many would like to associate what is happening in Kuwait with the Arab Spring, the rife protests that have so far swept several Arab regimes. But the reality is different.
Kuwait is no stranger to political crises that are ultimately resolved peacefully and in line with its constitutional tradition.
The current crisis saw the resignation of beleaguered Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah and the cabinet because of massive protests that allege corruption in the government.
In fact, opposition lawmakers have already submitted a formal request to question Shaikh Nasser in the National Assembly. This would have been the fifth request in five years — well before the start of the Arab Spring.
However, Kuwaiti youth who have been congregating in a central square have certainly picked up a few things from the protesters across the Arab world.
But it is not fair to say the Arab Spring has reached Kuwait. The country has been at the forefront of democratic experiments in the Arab world since the promulgation of the constitution in 1962.
And it has had its fair share of political crises and deadlocks. Only this time it is happening as thousands of Arab youth take to the streets calling for democratic reforms in more than one Arab state.
Eventually, the Kuwaiti crisis will be resolved. But it must be handled by the long-respected constitutional mechanism, by which the Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah appoints a new premier through consultation with former speakers of the parliament and the major parliamentary blocs so the MPs would not object to his choice to head the new cabinet.
This mechanism has always worked in Kuwait and must be allowed to work this time. All parties should refrain from taking their differences to the street. Kuwait's unity and stability is above all other interests.
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